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Space Allocation Guidelines

Overview

Research space controlled by the IUSCC must be allocated and managed to ensure efficient use and maximal productivity. IUSCC space will be allocated in line with the IUSCC mission; i.e. cancer relatedness. These guidelines are meant to be an objective method to determine space allocation in a fair and unbiased manner. They do not guarantee any future entitlements. The funding guidelines are a minimum and are not an automatic entitlement. These guidelines are general in nature and any specific requests for unique space due to specific needs will be handled on a case by case basis. All space decisions will be at the discretion of the IUSCC director. Assignment of research space requires a clear demonstration of need and substantial amounts of research funding.

Laboratory Space Allocation

Space is assigned under the auspices of the IUSCC director who may consult with the appropriate associate director of clinical research or the associate director of basic science research as well as other senior leaders of the IUSCC. Additional consultation with the investigator’s affiliated department may occur as necessary. In general, the size of the laboratory space assigned is in proportion to the specific space requirements for the investigations and the amount of extramural funded research. The major determining factor in assigning research space will be the dollar amount of indirect costs generated by the investigator from externally funded grants and/or the number of major RO1-type externally funded grants.The two methods for determining space are :

Method 1:

Space allocation will be calculated at $500 of direct costs of extramural funding per square foot as:

Square feet of laboratory space = direct costs generated/$500

The value shall be calculated as of July 1 of each year. (Example: An investigator currently has $250,000 in extramural funding. Using the formula stated above, they are entitled to 500 sq. ft. of research space.) The data will be averaged over three years to determine the space to which the investigator is entitled.

Method 2:

The alternative method of determining space requirements will be based on one RO1 or equivalent per 500 sq. ft. module as a minimum level of funding. Two modules would require two grants, etc. Again, this amount of funding is the minimum and is not an automatic entitlement.

Additional Considerations

All faculty with reasonable potential to acquire extramural funding should be assigned a minimal amount of space, equivalent to half of a module or 200 sq. ft. to 250 sq. ft. This space could be forfeited if the investigator makes no attempt to obtain funding in two years or is unsuccessful in obtaining funding for three years.

Newly recruited tenure-track faculty members will have their assigned research space protected for three years. At this time, evidence of acquisition of independent funding must be documented and if no funding is obtained or imminent, space needs will be re-evaluated after three years.

When an investigator loses funding, the IUSCC director will meet with the investigator to discuss a plan for the investigator’s space needs. The investigator has two years to obtain appropriate research funding. If no research funds are received in year three, the space may be reassigned.

Vacated space will be returned to the IUSCC director for allocation.

When an investigator leaves the faculty, the space vacated by the investigator will be returned to the IUSCC director for use.

Research track faculty (non-tenure track) may be allocated space at the discretion of the IUSCC director using similar guidelines as described above. Unfunded research track faculty may be assigned minimal space for a time decided by the director, but the space will be retained only for two years unless funding is obtained.

Space for visiting/volunteer/adjunct or emeritus faculty

These investigators will use their sponsors' research laboratories or share existing laboratories within the department. There is no commitment to additional office or laboratory space outside of the sponsoring faculty’s laboratory and office space.

Common space

Common research space is designated as areas that the center shares among investigators. Costs for maintaining the equipment, instrumentation are borne by the multiple users of the center and, or their respective departments. Multiple pieces of common equipment (when compatible) will be put in the common laboratory space. If the equipment, instrumentation loses its base of user support, it will be removed from the common laboratory at the investigator’s expense.

Exceptions

Space allocation is not static and will be evaluated on a routine basis to maximize the existing resources to obtain the fullest potential of the IUSCC. Exceptions to the space policy will be at the discretion of the IUSCC director and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.